Poor driving habit by area residents id keeping OPP officers busy.
On December 12, OPP North Bay Detachment officers responded to 18 motor vehicle collisions.
Today, they have already responded to 11 motor vehicle collisions.
Five collisions involved commercial motor vehicles, and 16 of the collisions occurred on Highway 11 between North Bay and Powassan.
Although the snow has stopped falling, today the roads are very slippery and ice covered say police.
Yesterday, December 12, at 6:14 a.m., officers responded to a jackknifed tractor-trailer on Algonquin Ave. in the City of North Bay. The tractor trailer was in the southbound lanes, blocking three lanes. The highway was cleared and re-opened at 7 a.m.
Yesterday at 6:45 a.m., a passenger vehicle was traveling in the passing lanes on Highway 17 in Bonfield. The vehicle was driving in the left lane when a tractor-trailer passed on the right, sideswiping the passenger vehicle. The tractor-trailer did not stop, and no description of the transport was obtained.
Again yesterday at 7:12 a.m., North Bay OPP responded to a tractor-trailer in the ditch on Highway 11, south of the City of North Bay. The tractor-trailer was in the northbound lanes blocking one lane. The vehicle was removed and all lanes were open at 9:53 a.m.
Also yesterday, at 2:16 p.m., officers responded to a call on the North Bay bypass between Seymour and Fisher Streets. A passenger vehicle lost control and was rear ended by a tractor trailer.
At 5:40 p.m., that same day, officers responded to a collision in the City of North Bay at Algonquin Ave. and Sherriff Street. The complainant said that she was turning onto Algonquin, on an advanced green light from Sherriff, when a vehicle came from the Sobey's parking lot and went through on a red light. Both vehicles skidded sideways and collided, causing damage to her vehicle. The other vehicle was described as a black Honda Civic. The suspect vehicle left the scene without stopping, and proceeded northbound on Algonquin.
Staff Sergeant Chris Summersby reminds all drivers to "Slow down, stay alert and stay in control. These simple steps will go a long way in reducing the number of winter weather-related collisions on our roads.
Some other winter driving tips are:
- Equip your vehicle with proper winter tires. When compared to regular or all-season tires, tests have proven that snow tires provide better traction, control and reduced stopping distances on snow-covered or icy roads.
- Make it a habit of using your full set of headlights during the winter months; daylight running lights do not engage your rear tail lights, making it difficult for drivers behind you to see your vehicle.
